Hi Philip - I'm pretty active on another roman catholic forum and the things they post - and believe - astound me.
The freedom we enjoy in Christ astounds many
I am going to (briefly) address some of your points. If you wish a deeper discussion please pm me or start a new thread.
So, I am taking someone else's assertions, but they are catholic.
seriously though, don't take any ones word on a forum as Catholic teaching (not even mine lol). If you really want to examine what the Church teaches, I would suggest you read the cathechism from the beginning (including the foreward with the purpose and intent of the cathechism). You will find both scriptural and Traditional support for its teachings. I would be happy to walk through it with you and answer any questions...
Most of the doctrine taught by this church just aren't scriptural. Most all of the Marian doctrine isn't anywhere in the bible. At all.
well, I think 'most of the doctrine' is indeed consistent with scripture. I take 'the Holy Spirit will lead you into all Truth ' to heart, and thus accept the things HE has taught to the Church down through the centuries. Do you think all doctrine must be explicitly stated in scripture? What of the ecumenical councils?
As for Mary, I'm sure others are better qualified to give you scriptural support, but I would start with the ark of the covenant and the Queen mother of the Davidic kingdom...
Catholics believe they must work to retain their salvation or even help Christ attain it.
works without faith is useless and faith without works is dead...
'Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command?' - Jesus
'See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.' - St. James
'Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church' - St. Paul
Is Paul saying Jesus' passion was insufficient? God forbid! He is saying that Christ has done HIS part, and now we must do ours...
Obedience is NOT optional.
Scripture is always taken out of context. Jesus' parables, for one example. Many times He's referring to unsaved people, yet the catholics on this forum argue that Jesus is "warning" His own disciples that they'll be cut off and cast away. Scripture just doesn't support that.
Rom 11: 20-22
That is so. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you are there because of faith. So do not become haughty, but stand in awe.
For if God did not spare the natural branches, (perhaps) he will not spare you either.
See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.
God tells us over and over that salvation is a free gift, we're sealed by the Holy Spirit - that nothing can snatch us out of His hand. Yet catholics (and other sects) don't believe this.
We do indeed believe that! We also believe that we have freewill and can ourselves 'leave HIS hand'.
If you have never turned your back on HIM or been willfully disobedient, then Praise the Lord.
As one who has done those things (to my shame), I can attest that one can indeed fall from Grace... it doesn't end well... except that Alleluia! Jesus in HIS mercy WILL heal us
if we turn back to HIM.
'This prefigured baptism, which saves you now ' - St Peter
Christ's blood is what redeems us and was the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
Agreed! Every faithful Catholic believes this!
'But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire.' - St. Paul
you can't pray to saints,
Do you never ask others to pray for you? Do you pray for others? The communion of the saints is REAL!
The Apostles didn't teach any of the above
I believe I just showed that they did... however this will take us off topic, pm me if you have more questions
and the New Testament church is nothing like the RCC.
An acorn doesn't look much like a fully grown oak tree, yet they are one and the same. What do you think the NT church looked like? Where was it in 100 AD, 200AD, 300 AD... ?
While all of this likely comes across poorly in writing, I don't say any of this with malice or in an ugly way.
no worries, I have thick skin
But just a suggestion, I wouldn't throw 'false doctrine' around to nonchalantly, it is a serious charge...
We're supposed to defend the faith and call out false doctrine.
sure. but who arbitrates if you and I have a dispute? How do we preserve the peace and unity of the body and walk on , bearing with one another in love? If we can't agree, and are unwilling to submit to one another, we splinter, and splinter, and splinter... Is Christ divided?
Peace be with you!
Christ IS risen!
Alleluia!